Solar Power Distributors in Brazil
Solar energy is an alternative power source that grew 65% in the past 5 years in order to meet the demand for sustainable energy. In this article we will see the main solar power providers in Brazil.
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, and is strategically located and full of natural resources that may contribute to the adoption of alternative power sources. Today, 90% of the energy in the country comes from hydroelectric plants, whereas solar only represents 0.01%. The current capacity is estimated at 40 MWp, but the demand is still very low in the country. Technical issues, legislation and high costs are still major limitations for the expansion of this kind of power source, but the P&D Estratégico, the Strategic Research and Development Program, by ANEEL, the National Electric Energy Agency, is calling companies to invest in research and new power plants.
According to ANEEL, there are 317 photovoltaic solar parks of all types in the country, including micro-generation. Around 90% of the installed capacity in the country are not linked to the grid or not yet distributed for commercial use. The parks use different technologies to generate electricity from sunlight, according to the region where it is located and the project demands. Most upcoming projects are located in the state of Bahia.
The distribution of the power generated by the parks can be connected to the existing power grid, although there is no regulation that determines how it must be done. Solar parks, that are not for one specific consumer, can get an 80% discount on fees for the use of electrical grids for transmission and distribution. This directive would apply to any undertaking that begins its operation before December 31st 2017, and would be valid for ten years. After this time the discount would be 50% for existing projects, and would also apply to new undertakings. The last power auction determined an average price of BRL 215,12/MWh.
Undertakings over 5 MW are not included in the current regulation, which is focused only on hydroelectrics and thermoelectrics. Eolic and biomass plants already have a specific contract for deployment. For those up to 5 MW, there is a specific form for registration by ANEEL, and an environmental license concerning its impact on the region where it is located is also required.
Commercial Solar Power Distributors
There are not many power distributors that uses photovoltaic sources for consumer use. Most of them are still experimental and provide a very small amount of power or are waiting for upcoming power auctions, as a complement to other sources. The government has already announced two more power auctions dedicated to solar photovoltaic to take place in August 2015 and the other is to be scheduled.
Most of the existing and upcoming projects are located in the Northeast region, due to its high levels of solar radiation. They are still not used by consumers, even though they are already connected to the power grid.
Celesc
Celesc operates in the state of Santa Catarina generating and commercializing energy, primarily from hydroelectric plants. The company uses solar power generation in small regions in the state, such as Arvoredo Archipelago, Campeche Island and Guará Island, in order to substitute oil generators in the community and tourist facilities.
Eletrosul
Eletrosul is also located in the state of Santa Catarina and was the first company to sell power from a solar photovoltaic source. The company’s headquarters houses the Megawatt Solar Plant, capable of generating 1,2 GWh per year, enough to power around 540 homes, and is waiting for upcoming auctions to sell all of its capacity. Eletrosul operates in all Southern region and in the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rondônia and Pará with transmission grids for different power sources.
Tractebel Energia
Tractebel owns the second largest solar photovoltaic park in Brazil, located in the city of Tubarão, in the state of Santa Catarina. The Nova Aurora plant is capable of generating 3 MWp and powers the João Lacerda coal plant, also a property of Tractebel. The company produces and distributes energy in several states in Brazil from different sources like eolic, thermoelectric and hydroelectric.